Jay Leno Passes 'The Tonight Show' Torch to Conan O'Brien

Jay Leno Laughs Off Hospitalization
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Jay Leno hosted his last episode of "The Tonight Show" on Friday evening, passing the torch to his final guest and successor, Conan O'Brien -- but not before poking some fun at celebs such as Jon and Kate Gosselin.

In his opening monologue, Leno reflected on his 17-year run as "Tonight Show" host. "When we started this show, Jon and Kate were both eight," he joked.

Then he brought out his last guest, O'Brien, who inherets "The Tonight Show" next Monday.

"I just want to say, I couldn't be happier," Leno told O'Brien. "You were the only choice. You were the perfect choice. You have been an absolute gentlemen in private and in the press."

"Conan rocks!" an audience member shouted out. Leno replied, "I agree, Conan rocks."

Conan said he knew he had big shoes to fill, and cracked that eventually, "I want to try and fill little shoes. Some day I want to replace a local weatherman who's been on the air for about three months and who is no good and everybody hates."

After looking back at some of his most popular "Tonight Show" skits over the years, Leno said his famous predecessor Johnny Carson taught him that "you always want to have jokes. And that’s what we've been trying to do for the last 17 years, make you laugh. And it's been an honor and a privilege to do that."

At the end of the show, Leno raised a curtain to reveal the 68 children born to his staff over the 17 years. "So that's what I would like my legacy to be," he said. "When these kids grow up and they go, 'Hey, mom and dad, where do you guys meet?' They're gonna say they met on the stage of 'The Tonight Show.'"

Leno returns to TV on a new primetime show on NBC this fall.

Published 5/30/09 by the Insider

Comments (7)

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  • We really miss jay leno doing the tonite show. We've watched conan for this week and he just doesn't do it for us. Jays last show was a very classy act and we can't wait for his new show in the fall. We hope his new show is very similar to his...
    Anonymous 6/7/09 Reply
  • I just want to say that I have been a faithful Tonight Show viewer since before Johnny Carson took it over.
    I don't think I missed a show all the time Johnny Carson was the host.
    I love both Johnny & Jay and think they both did a great job.
    I...
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • They have different comedy styles. I love Conan a lot more than Jay Leno. I feel that Jay Leno was to proud and almost y while Conan is real, humble, down to earth, and extremely creative.
    johnx60115 6/2/09 Reply
  • I loved Leno but I don't like Conan and will not watch him. So not only did Leno say goodbye to us but I also said goodbye to the Tonight Show.
    Anonymous 5/31/09 Reply
  • I'm sorry. I just do NOT like Conan at all. I have watched the Tonight Show forever, but this is it. Letterman will have no competition for me now. I love Jay and hope his new show does extremely well!
    Anonymous 5/30/09 Reply
  • LOL:)
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